Former Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo has praised Alex Iwobi as Nigeria’s most influential player in their commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique, even as he applauded Ademola Lookman’s outstanding form at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Super Eagles delivered one of their most convincing performances of the tournament on Monday night, brushing aside the Mambas with authority and flair. Speaking as a football analyst on SuperSport after the match, Ighalo highlighted Nigeria’s dominance in midfield as the key factor behind the emphatic win, singling out Iwobi for special recognition.
Although Ighalo acknowledged that Lookman has been among the most consistent and dangerous players at the tournament, he was clear that Iwobi’s influence against Mozambique stood out above the rest.
“Today, I give it to Alex Iwobi because he engineered the midfield,” Ighalo said. “He controlled the game and made everything flow.”
The Fulham midfielder delivered a masterclass in ball control, vision, and distribution, recording three secondary assists and consistently dictating the tempo of play. His ability to link defence and attack allowed Nigeria to dominate possession and repeatedly break down Mozambique’s defensive shape.
Despite Iwobi’s standout display on the night, Ademola Lookman continues to enjoy a remarkable AFCON campaign. The Atalanta forward has now been directly involved in seven goals, the highest tally by any player at the tournament so far. Alongside stars such as Brahim Díaz and Mohamed Salah, Lookman has scored in every match he has played at AFCON 2025.
Against Mozambique, Lookman found the back of the net once and created two clear-cut chances for his teammates. His performance earned him yet another Player of the Match award, further cementing his reputation as one of the competition’s elite performers.
Reflecting on Lookman’s growing influence within the Super Eagles setup, Ighalo — who finished as the tournament’s top scorer at the 2019 AFCON — said the winger’s intelligence and movement have made him a constant threat.
“I really like the way he positions himself when the ball is on his side,” Ighalo explained. “If he’s not running down the wing to deliver a pass, he’s already in the box, close to goal.
“When the opportunity comes, he always takes it, and that’s something I admire about him. He’s definitely one of the best players in this team.”
With confidence high and momentum building, the three-time African champions now shift their focus to a crucial quarter-final showdown against Algeria. The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m., as Nigeria continue their quest for a fourth AFCON title.
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